ICC Note:

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) cancelled the day of prayer and mourning (March 19) due to threats issued by the government. The day of prayer and morning, planned in churches across the country and abroad, commemorates Christians killed by Muslim Fulani herdsmen and others. The Nigerian government claimed that it would breach national security, according to Morning Star News’ sources. They warned both journalists and Christian leaders to stop speaking out about anti-Christian violence in Nigeria. General Secretary of CAN Reverend Dr. Musa Asake states, “CAN wishes to inform all Christians, both at home and abroad, that based on credible reports of concern, it has decided to suspend the Christian Day of Mourning…”  

03/21/2017 Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Having warned journalists and Christian leaders to stop speaking out about anti-Christian violence in Nigeria, the government this week also ordered the cancellation of a day of prayer and national mourning for slain Christians, sources said.

Christian leaders here said the day of prayer and mourning planned in churches across the country and abroad on Sunday (March 19) in memory of Christians killed by Muslim Fulani herdsmen and others has been suspended on orders of the Nigerian government and security agencies. They said they have been under pressure and threat by government and security officials to cancel the program on claims that it would breach national security.

The Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said in a statement on Wednesday (March 15) that leaders had no other option than to suspend the program indefinitely.

“CAN wishes to inform all Christians, both at home and abroad, that based on credible reports of concern, it has decided to suspend the Christian Day of Mourning formerly scheduled to take place globally on Sunday 19th March, 2017,” Asake said in the statement. “We took cognizance of the preparations that various Christian groups have made to participate in the program, which was designed, in all honesty and sincerity, to mourn the death of thousands of Christians murdered by religious insurgents.”

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